Shock Thermodynamic Applied Research Facility (STAR)

The STAR facility, within Sandia’s Solid Dynamic Physics Department, is one of a few institutions in the world with a major shock-physics program. This is the only experimental test facility in the world that can cover the full range of pressure (bars to multi-Mbar) for material property study utilizing gas/propellant launchers, ramp-loading pulsers, and ballistic applications.

Material Characterization

Shock wave experiments are an established technique to determine the equation of state at high pressures and temperature, which can be applied to virtually all materials. This technique allows the probing of the internal structure of the material as it undergoes deformation. This provides a better understanding of the material properties for development and the refining of material models and helping to develop new materials. We provide nearly a half-century of experience in material characterization and are one of the leaders in shock-wave studies.

Ballistic Studies

The STAR facility is the only facility in the world where the breadth of ballistic studies can be performed; from conventional arms (penetration), fragmentation events, space impact events (micrometeoroid impacts), and extreme velocity impacts of space dust while utilizing state-of-the-art diagnostics.

Expertise

We provide nearly a half-century of experience in material characterization and are one of the leaders in shock-wave studies and ballistic applications. A complete technical and scientific staff is available to aid in the definition and execution of an experimental program as well as interpreting results. This facility provides turn-key operations from defining, designing, fabrication, testing and data analysis and interpretation of the program. Our department provides world class computational capabilities by utilizing Sandia National Laboratories developed hydrocode (CTH) which are available for modeling and simulation of experimental events.

Availability

This facility is available to support any institution whose applications can benefit from its unique capabilities, contact the user liaison.

Sandia National Laboratories is a multimission laboratory managed and operated by National Technology and Engineering Solutions of Sandia, LLC., a wholly owned subsidiary of Honeywell International, Inc., for the U.S. Department of Energy’s National Nuclear Security Administration under contract DE-NA-0003525.